Closure door assembly for concrete mixers or agitators



July 31, 1951 R. M. HENDERSON cLosuRE DooR ASSEMBLY FOR CONCRETE MIXERs 0R AGITAToRs Filed sept. 1, 195o `2 sheets-sheet 1 ROBERT M. HENDERSON INVENToR.

July 31, 1951 R. M. HENDERSON 2,562,551

CLOSURE DOOR ASSEMBLY FOR CONCRETE MIXERS OR AGITATORS Filed Sept. l, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ROBERT M.HENDERSON IIVVENTOR.

Patented July 31, 1951 CLOSURE DOOR ASSEMBLY FOR CONCRETE MIXERS OR AGITATQRS Robert M. Henderson, Springfield.; Vt., assignor to Worthington Pump. and Machinery Corporation,L Harrison, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application September 1, 1950, Serial No. 182,660 'f 4 claims. (ol. 25a-161i This, invention relates generally to transit type concrete. mixers. and more particularly to. a. closure door for the end` opening, thereof which will allow the. mixer to. operate as, an agitator or provide` means for converting a transit mixer toan agitator.

In the, constructioneld it has been found that `ready mixed concrete can-be delivered by transit type. truck mixers. which usually consisty of a truck f rame having a rotatable drum thereon which is provided with a single. end opening through which the mixed concrete is discharged.

Where the distances traveled. by the mixer are relatively short, it has. been further :found that it is more eicient to. utilize a central mixing plant system for pre-mixing the ingredients and .allowing the mixers to act merely as agitators during the transfer of the mixed concrete. t the site where it is to be used.

market are generally of thev type adapted. to per- .orm the transit mixed or job. mixed type` of operation, in that the end openings. of the rotatable drums are usually adapted to receive some type of combinedy hopper and closure member .wheremeans for charging,Y agitating and discharging of. varying quantities of. Concrete may be prepared such tor example as the, combined hopper and closure member shown in my Patent No. 2,489,885, issued November 2 9., i949.

When adapted. to perform the transit mixed Ior job mixed typeof 0poration, it has been` ound .that the mixers. when, used as agitatcrs. must carry a lesser amountoi mixed. concrete. than the 4.rotatable drum4 capacity allows for, because of various dicnlties such as, `grit getting, into the seals betweenl the rotatable and, non-rotatable portions of the hopper and closure members,

spillage, loss of water ete., which occurs when greater quantities are used.

The present invention contemplates a means for replacing the. Combined hOPDQI' and closure door with` a full closure door whereby transit l.mixers adapted to perform `the ,.above mentioned .transit mixed Qr ich. mixedtype. of operation may be. converted over to.- an agitator or te .Show a construction for an agit tor in which the rotatable drum. will be capable ofv` operating at full capacity.v l

Accordingly, itis an object of the present invention to provide a closure door assembly for the. end Opening of agitators or transit mixers. A.

It isanotherobject of the present, invention to provide a full closure door adapted to be. rotatable with the, rotatable drum for a transit type concrete, mixer or agitator. l

Itis another object of the present invention to provide a rotatable closure, door which is adapted to replace the combined charging, hopper and closure, member of a transit mixer whereby it will be converted 4to an agitator. 'n

It is. a further object of the present invention to. provide a rotatable closure door which is adaptedA to replace thecombined charging hopper and closure member of a transit mixerto convertit intovan agitator, which is adapted to coact with the same operating lmeans formerly ,imparting movement to the combined hopper and .closure member.

With these and `other objgects in view, as may appear from the accompanying specification, the invention consists, of various features offconstruction andcombination of; parts,y which` will be irstl described in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing a closure door assemfbly for concrete mixers or agitators of a preierred form embodying the invention, andthe features forming the invention will be specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the` drawings; l l

Figure 1 is an end view of the mixer showing the relationship ofthe invention to the operating parts.

' Figure 2,' is a side elevation showing the invention in its closed po'sition in the end opening of a mixer. Y n

Figure 3 is a partialsection talienl through the pivoting meansl provided for the invention.

Referring more particulaix-ls to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show the elevated material transfer end of a mix-ingdrum having an axial end opening 2 The drum I is mounted for 'rotation in any suitablev manner on the main frame (not shown) of the'mixing machine. About the opening 2 isan annularV flange 3 which is connected to the ldrum by some suitable means such as welding. The annular flange 3 is adapted to mount a removable drip ring 4 thereon to provide a closure surface for a closure door 5, all of which is clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. A removable drip ring vis shown and described in my pending application, Serial No. 165,148, filed May 31, 1950.

Rotatable closure door The closure door 5 is a flat circular plate-like member of substantially the same diameter as the removable drip ring 4, which it contacts on its inner surface when the closure door is moved into engagement with the axial end opening 2 to close it, as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. It is understood that while this type of surface-to-surface engagement is shown that other types of surfaces such as cone-shaped deep rings and dished shaped closure doors might be utilized for this purpose.

The means for making the closure door 5 rotatable is clearly shown in Figure 3 and include an opening 5 which receives therein a door hub 6.

Door hub 6 is a cylindrical member having a diameter slightly less than said opening 5 and provided with a door hub flange 1 about the upper portion thereof formed integrally therewith. It is mounted on the closure door 5 through the opening 5' so that the flange 1 will abut the outer surface of the closure door 5 to provide means for xedly connecting the hub 6 to the closure door 5, such as by bores 8, having bolts 9 passing therethrough and nuts I for locking the flange 1 to the closure door 5. The door hub 6 provides means for rotatably mounting the closure door and one end of an elongated shaft I I, the other end of said shaft will provide means for flexibly mounting the closure door to a door support I2 which is in turn connected to a suitable operating mechanism to be hereinafter described.

Thus, door hub 6 is provided with an axial bore I3 into which iits one end of the shaft II. The upper end of said bore I3 is provided with an enlarged recess I4, to receive therein the inner race I5 of a bearing of the transverse type, the outer race I6 thereof being rotatably separated from the inner race I5 by ball type bearings I1. A ilrst annular shoulder I8 formed on the shaft II will abut the outer race I6 and will prevent the shaft II from being thrust too far into the bore I3 thus reducing any additional end friction that might develop and in addition provides means for holding the bearing in the recess I4. The rst annular shoulder I8 will be held in position adjacent the outer race I6 by suitable means such as a split ring holding member I9 fixedly connected to the door hub 6 by suitable means such as bolts and lock washers 2l, all of which is clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

Figure 3 further shows split ring I9 as having passages 22 which are provided with any suitable type of grease connection 23 of which there are many well known types in the open market whereby lubrication for the rotatable portions above described may be provided.

DOOT Support The door support I2 provides means for mounting the closure door 5 and rotatable assembly above described and for connecting the closure door` 5 to suitable operating means for moving it into and out of engagement with said axial end opening 2.

Thus, Figures 1 and 3 clearly show the door support I2 as a substantially elongated channelshaped member disposed in a horizontal plane across said closure door 5. In the medial portion thereof is an elliptical opening 24 which receives the other end of shaft I I therethrough. A second .4 shoulder 25 will be provided on the shaft II between the split ring IS and the inner surface 28 of the door support I2. The second shoulder 25 will abut the inner surface of the door support I2 about the elliptical opening 24 to prevent the closure door 5 from coming into contact with the door support at any time.

Shaft II also passes through a door adjusting plate 21 which is a substantially block-like rectangular member, lying in the channel 28 formed on the outer surface of the door support I2.

The shaft II extends past the channel 21 and is provided with means for flexibly mounting it to the door support I2, by a spring member 28 which abuts the door, adjusting plate 21 at one end and an adjusting nut 30 at the other end threadably mounted on the end 2| of the shaft II. A locking nut 32 is provided to hold the adjusting nut in position, all of which is clearly shown in Figures l and 3 of the drawings. The spring 29 allows the closure door 5 to flex inwardly and outwardly as the door support I2 is moved or when the mixing drum I is in operation and the closure door 5 is rotating therewith.

The door adjusting plate 21, is further shown in Figure 1 as having elliptical bores 33 thereon which receive bolts 34 threadably engaging the channel 28 and locking nuts 35 therethrough, thus when the closure door 5 is mounted for engagement with the drip ring 3, it may be adjusted in the horizontal plane by sliding the ad,- justing plate 21 and shaft I I passing therethrough back and forth until the desired position is secured and then locking it in place by means of bolts 34 and locking nuts 35.

The ends 36 and 31 of the door support I2 extend past either side of the closure door 5 and are provided with trunnions or cam following members 38 therein which provide means for connecting the door support I2 to the operating mechanism for moving the door support I2 and the closure door 5 connected thereto into and out of engagement with the axial opening 2.

Operating mechanism One type of operating mechanism for moving the closure door 5 into and out of engagement with the axial opening 2 is shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, as substantially identical with that type shown and described in my prior Patent No. 2,489,885, it being understood that while this type of frame and operating mechanism is shown that other similar types of controls could be utilized with the present invention.

Accordingly, a frame 40 is positioned about the end of the drum opening 2. The frame has two upright members 4I and 42 spaced on each side of the opening 2 which are rigidly attached to the main frame (not shown) of the mixer. A horizontal member 43 above the opening joins the two spaced uprights 4I and 42.

Mounted on the frame may be any suitable type of mechanical system having proper toggle action such as a worm and wheel arrangement so that the closure door 4 may be moved to any desired position. Such type of mechanical system is shown in the present application.

Thus, a horizontal rocker shaft 44 is pivotally supported between the spaced uprights 4I and 42 just 4below the horizontal member 43 of the frame 4U. Two operating arms 45 and 46, have their respective upper ends flxedly connected to the rocker shaft 44 so that when one or the other of said operating arms are turned the operating arms 45 and 46 will both be pivoted 'fateci me maar une ofthe rocker sha-.ft at; asis '-'clea'rly kshown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Accordingly, means are provided for moving one of said'operating armsA 451' which'v includes "link-'age arms 41u and. i1-b. Linkage armdill: f 'connected' at 48a toa worm4 andZ wheelV nut 4,9 'which is 'xedly mounted on one ofthe spaced uprights 4l. Linkagefarm 91a is connected to the? other end of-4 linkage arm 47h and will be moved thereby. It is in Vturn connected at 4819 to the operating arm 45; A handwheel 50 is providedfor rotation of: the-worm and1wheel' nut 48, to actuate the nut 48 which in; turnlactuates lever arms: 41d and -df'lfb vtornove the Operating arm 45. Since the operating arm 45 is fixedly Figures 1 anch-2i offthe--,diiawings.

TheVV lower end of the Jvoperating armsv l5 and 46. will. be engaged by linkage shafts 5l "andi, 52. Linkage 'shafts 5f and 52 have adjustable ends 53 and v511 respectively, for adjusting the length of the linkage shafts and 52 as desired.

Linkage shafts 5l and 52 pass through each of the legs of U-shaped brackets 55 and 56 which are identical in construction and which constitute the immediate means for connecting and moving the door support l2 as is hereinafter described.

Shoulders 51 are provided in each of the linkage shafts 5I and 52, to abut the inner leg of the respective brackets 55 and 56 and will force the said brackets outwardly when the linkage shafts 5 I and 52 are moved by the operating arms 45 and 46 to which they are connected, on rotation of the handwheel 55 as above described. A yieldable connection between the outer legs of the brackets 55 and 56 and the ends 58 and 59 of the linkage shafts 5I and 52 respectively corn-v prising springs 60 and 6l loosely mounted about the linkage shafts 5l and 52 and threaded locking means 62 and 63, so that the reverse movement of the handwheel 50 will move the brackets inwardly, all of which is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Since the linkage shafts 5I and 52 each pass through both legs of the U-shaped brackets 55 and 56, they will be moved substantially in one plane and will be prevented from imparting undesired twisting to the door support I2. In addition, the spring members 60 and l will provide flexibility in the operating mechanism.

The brackets 55 and 5B are provided with bearing surfaces 64 so that the trunnions or cam following members 38 on the ends of the door support I2 may be mounted therein to lie in a hori- Zontal plane across the axial opening 2 of the mixing drum.

Between the U-shaped brackets 55 and 55 and the ends 36 and 3l of the door support I2 are cam plates 65 and 65. Each of the cam plates 65 and 66 are L-shaped having the base portions 61 and 68 thereof connected to the uprights 4l and 42 respectively, and the arm portions 69 and l0 extending perpendicularly therefrom between the ends of the door support I2 and the U-shaped brackets. Camv slots 'Il are formed on each of said cam plates 65 and 65 so that the trunnion or cam following members 38 may ride in said slots and be supported by the cam plates 65 and 66. The cam slots 1I will provide a path wherein when the linkage shafts 5| and 52 cause the U- shaped brackets 55 and 56 to be moved as above described. The' cani: following. membersl 38y will be moved outwardly, rst parallel to the axial line of the drum and then upwardly; away from the opening and inwardly, inthereverse thereof, substantially identical with the movement shown and described' lin my prior Patent No. 2,489,885.

A- ventl valve T2 is provided on the closure door #to allow'for the escape off air whenv the mixing drum l is filledl with the ingredients forming the mixture, a side opening (fnot shown) generally being provided on the mixing'drum l for this purpose. The vent valve- 1.2 will bel opened by sliding ventV closure arm 'l3l pivotallyA connected" at. T4 away from theA opening until' the 'Ioading operation is completed andi it isv desired to place the mixeriintooperationf, all of'whichis clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. It will be understood: that while this type of ventingmeans is shown that other types embodying the same idea may bev utilized for this purpose.

While one form of the invention has been shown andY described, it will be understood that the invention is not to be limited tothe specific construction and arrangement of parts but that they may be widely modified within the invention dened by the claims.

What is claimed is: Y

1. In a concrete mixer including, a rotatable drum with an axial opening at one end for material transfer purposes, a frame straddling said opening, an operating mechanism connected to said frame having a manually operable hand-` wheel for operating a worm and wheel unit, and lever means operated by said worm and wheel unit, and a pair of cam plates attached to said frame on each side of said opening having cam slots thereon, the combination with said operating means of, closure support, cam following means fixedly connected to said closure support mounted in said cam slots and connected to said operating means to allow said closure support to be moved towards and away from said opening, a shaft flexibly connected to said closure support in the medial line thereof, a closure plate, a hub member xedly connected to said closure plate, a bore in said hub having an enlarged recess in the upper end thereof, means to coact with said recess for` rotatably connecting the hub member to said shaft to rotatably mount said closure plate on the closure support, said closure plate adapted to engage said axial opening when the closure support is moved towards the axial opening, and means mounted on said closure support and connected to said shaft to adjustably position said shaft and closure plate connected thereto in the horizontal plane.

2. 'In the combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means coactng with the enlarged recess to rotatably connect the hub member to the shaft includes, a transverse bearing mounted in said enlarged recess, a shoulder on said shaft to abut the bearing, and a split ring in fixed relationship with said hub member mounted about said shoulder to position the shoulder adjacent said bearings and to hold the hub member and closure plate on said shaft.

3. In the combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means to adjustably position said shaft and closure plate in the horizontal plane includes, an adjustable plate adapted to receive said shaft therethrough slidably mounted on the closure support, elliptical bores in said adjusting plate on either side of said shaft, and threaded means to lock said adjusting plate to the closure support after the shaft and closure plate are in position.

4. In a concrete mixer including, a rotatable drum with an axial opening at one end for material transfer purposes, a frame straddling said opening, an operating mechanism connected to said frame having a manually operable handwheel for operating a worm and Wheel unit, and lever means operated by said worm and wheel unit, and a pair of cam plates attached to said frame on each side of said opening having cam slots thereon, the combination with said operating means of, a closure support transversely disposed with respect to said axial opening, cam following means fixedly connected to said closure support mounted in said cam slots and connected to said operating means to allow said closure support to be moved towards and away from said opening, a non-rotatable support means connected to said closure support, and closure means rotatably mounted on said support means adapted to engage said axial opening when the closure support is moved towards the axial open- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS "l Number Name Date 1,869,488 Mason Aug. 2, 1932 2,489,885 Henderson et al. Nov. 29, 1949 2,504,223 Pasquariello Apr. 18, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 769,662 France Aug. 31, 1934 

